• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.300-307
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• 2019

This study develops a user centered outdoor jacket capable of energy harvesting based on consumer needs. Jackets are designed for typical outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, and climbing, integrated with an energy harvesting module that can generate electric power from arm swing in outdoor and daily life walking. Textile based energy generators developed by the previous research of Lee & Roh (2018) were used. A prototype was created based on the arm swing motion experiment for location options and energy harvesting system functions, the simulation by the design sketch, and evaluation of the wearing test by experts. In-depth interviews were later conducted for the prototype with 10 outdoor experts to derive the optimal location of an energy harvesting system in three ways, and the prototype was revised to 5 styles that reflected reviews by experts on function and appearance. Research indicated that the energy harvesting jacket design signifies a user-centered design based on expert interviews and usability evaluation as well as previous research on energy generation and storage device. The jacket is convenient because it combines an energy generator in an optimal position to maximize energy generation with a storage and charging device that can be inserted into various position options for accessibility.